Brian Gay is looking forward to the defence of his St Jude Classic title in Memphis this week.
American in confident mood ahead of St Jude title defence
Brian Gay is looking forward to the defence of his St Jude Classic title in Memphis this week.
All three of Gay's PGA Tour wins were achieved on the 'Southern Swing' with the American revelling in the high humidity of his native Texas.
The 38-year-old cruised to victory by five shots at the TPC Southwind 12 months ago and is looking for a repeat performance in the warm-up event for next week's US Open.
"These are familiar surroundings for me - the Bermuda greens and warm weather," he said.
"I've played my best tournaments through the years in Texas and throughout the South. My wins have come in Tennessee, South Carolina and south of the border (in Mexico)."
Gay has two top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour this season, including a tie for second at last month's Byron Nelson Championship.
Contention
And having established himself as a strong front runner - he had the lead going into the final round of each of his wins - Gay knows his top priority for this week is to put himself into contention over the weekend.
"I've had great success with the lead, and kind of separating myself (from the chasing pack)," said Gay. "The hard part is getting in that position."
The opposition is stronger than usual this week, with three players in the world's top-10 teeing it up - England's Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter plus Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland.
Former US PGA champion Padraig Harrington is also in the field while the home challenge is led by St Jude specialist David Toms, who won the event in 2003 and 2004 and was runner-up last year.
Veteran Bob Estes also tees it up just two days after winning one of the two remaining places in the Open at Pebble Beach.
The 44-year-old won the weather-delayed qualifier at The Woodlands course near Houston on Tuesday, joining fellow American Bobby Gates in the field for next week's major championship.
St Jude stroke averages 2002-09
